People urged to take part in ‘crucial’ Local Plan consultation

Lewes District Council is calling on residents to help shape the future of communities across the district by sharing their views in a first phase consultation on the emerging Local Plan.

The consultation, which was launched this week and runs until February 28, 2025, focuses on detailed policies and will consider sites within towns and a limited number of villages.

The second phase will be held later in 2025 and have a greater emphasis on more rural parts of the district, while also re-evaluating areas considered during phase one.

Local plans set out where future development will take place, such as new homes and locations for business growth, as well the local policy requirements against which future planning applications will be judged.

Councillor Laurence O’Connor, Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “This is a crucial stage in the development of our Local Plan, and we are urging as many residents as possible to take part in the consultation.

“We have organised a programme of online and in-person events across the district to make it as easy as possible for people to get involved.”

To view the consultation documents and submit your comments online visit www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/lewes-local-plan

Here, you can also see the various ways to participate in the consultation including joining an online webinar and Q&A session on Tuesday, January 14, from 5pm to 6.30pm – this can be accessed via the page above.

There will be unstaffed exhibition at The Marine Workshops in Newhaven from February 3 to 27 (this will be open from 9am to 4pm Mondays to Fridays, and 9am to 3pm on Saturdays).

A series of drop-in events are also being held across the district during January and February (see details below).

Councillor Zoe Nicholson, Leader of Lewes District Council, added: “Thank you to all the thousands of people who have already contributed to Local Plan discussions, now we need everyone to engage with us again to ensure that our Local Plan reflects the needs and aspirations of our communities.

“This is particularly important in the face of government proposals for new housing targets which are entirely unrealistic and threaten our district’s beautiful green spaces.”

Consultation drop-in events

 Drop-in events are being held across the district throughout January and February. Please note, residents from any part of the district are welcome to attend any of these sessions:

• Wednesday January 29, from 4pm to 7pm, at Ringmer Village Hall, Lewes Road, Ringmer, Lewes BN8 5QH
• Thursday, January 30, from 6pm to 9pm, at The Downs Leisure Centre, Seaford, Sutton Road, Seaford BN25 4QW
• Saturday, February 1, from 10am to 1pm, at Newick Village Hall, 2 Western Road, Newick, Lewes BN8 4LF
• Monday, February 3, from 4pm to 7pm, at Community House, Meridian Centre, Meridian Way, Peacehaven, BN10 8BB
• Joint session with South Downs National Park Authority which is consulting on a revised Local Plan for the National Park. This drop-in event is on Wednesday, February 5, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, at Lewes Town Hall, High St, Lewes BN7 2QS
• Thursday, February 6, from 6.30pm to 9pm, at Beechwood Hall, Beechwood Lane, Cooksbridge BN7 3QG
• Saturday, February 8, 10am to 1pm, at The Marine Workshops, Railway Quay, Newhaven, East Sussex, BN9 0ER.